sports
New Sporting Association Sweeps through Jackson by Carlton McGrone
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Fotograf Petter Elstad
October 28 - November 10, 2020 • jfp.ms
Q
uidditch is not only a real, full-contact sport that four members of the same gender on the field at once, a “I had a lot of stuff going for me in just my first year is popular on college campuses, but it is also alive prominent rule that was shaped during the sport’s begin- (of playing quidditch), so I got really hyped for it and really in Jackson. The fantasy game originated from the nings. This very specific parameter keeps non-gender-con- wanted to keep playing,” he says. I was the starting keeper pages of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry (a quidditch position that mimics a tradiPotter” series, but has since been adapted tional goalkeeper in soccer), a top scorer for into a collegiate competition that has our team. Now I’m back, and there’s not rebranched into a worldwide recreational ally a team here, so I’ve taken it upon myself sport. Enthusiasts like Jackson native Phillip to create that team.” Keck are attempting to keep the thrill alive While in Norway, Keck and his teamthrough the COVID-19 pandemic. mates were not as burdened with quaran Though a fledgling organization, tines and the viral spread as U.S. citizens Keck’s Jackson Quidditch Association has have been. Well aware of the struggles that joined this steadily growing, niche sphere of awaited him in the face of his endeavors, “muggle” quidditch. Keck hopes that with he plans to move one step at a time, even if enough participants, the JQA will eventhose steps are miniscule in scope. tually be able to play alongside the scant “I’m trying to get literally anyone number of quidditch teams in the South who’s interested to play,” Keck explains. “… including at the University of Southern I’m pretty ambitious and like to set longMississippi, Louisiana State University and term goals, so I’m hoping in a few years that Loyola University in New Orleans. maybe we can build this up and create a During a phone interview on Oct. 21, whole league in Jackson and the surroundKeck sounded cautiously optimistic about ing areas. Though, I’ve had to take a step getting the organization up and running. back, and now I’m going to try recruiting “I had a lot of momentum going people individually.” forward. I created all of the social media “I’m just trying to get people over the accounts, and I was ready to create these presumptions of the sport. I definitely think events, but now I’m a bit discouraged. the pandemic has not helped at all. I’ve had Though, I feel like if the pandemic begins several people tell me that they would try it, to settle down a bit, I can get a team moving except there’s the COVID stuff going on. along,” Keck explains. Though we are taking several safety precau For the unaware, quidditch (with a Athletes, including Jackson Quidditch Association founder Phillip Keck (second tions during practice.” lowercase “q” as opposed to the fantasti- from right), play a quidditch match at the Oslo Open 2019 in Oslo, Norway. Keck says that the team would follow cal Quidditch) is a full-contact sport that the same safety precautions as his team in requires only cleats and a mouthguard to play, and borrows forming individuals safe on and off the field, providing a Norway had followed. Players would sanitize equipment elements from both soccer and rugby. Those accustomed to community of like-minded, equality-focused athletes. before and after practice, with limited equipment sharing. the game in the books and movies will recognize the rules. This championing of inclusivity does not stop on a They would keep the same brooms throughout, and pass to Two teams, seven on each side of the field, attempt local scale, though, as several leagues and major competi- one or two partners. Additionally, practices would include to outscore one another by chucking the quaffle (a slightly tions have steadily popped up around the globe and annu- as little contact as possible, and hand sanitizer would be in deflated volleyball) through hoops while dodging thrown ally draw players together on an international scale. close proximity at all times. bludgers (in this case dodgeballs). Games have stretched on Over the past 10 years, quidditch fanatics have en- Those following the realm of college sports are aware for hours while the specialized seekers chase the snitch (a joyed major competitions such as the European Cup, Asia that there have been many victories and tragedies when tennis ball a neutral player carries). Cup and International Quidditch Association World Cup, dealing with COVID among team members. Games have Similar to basketball’s handicap of dribbling, as well as semi-pro leagues such as America’s Major League been postponed or outright cancelled, players have opted quidditch requires players to run with a broom (or any Quidditch and Europe’s Quidditch Premier League. All of out of the season, and schedules have been drastically gutsimilar long, cylindrical object) between their legs. While them offer the most highly skilled athletes a stage to com- ted. Most NFL stadiums remain desolate with artificial onlookers often regard it as a hilarious spectacle, those who pete for national rankings. crowds filling the cracks that the coronavirus has left. have played appreciate it as a fast-paced, heart-thrumming In the midst of the planning stages of the Jackson For the cautious, though, sports during a pandemic battle of athletes. Quidditch Association, Keck had lofty goals for the team seem possible, but as depicted ad nauseum, caution can “I think it’s a really, really cool sport,” Keck says. “I that would eventually branch into a Jackson league of quid- only take a team so far. really like the message that it builds, this message of inclu- ditch teams. His dedication toward introducing quidditch A turbulent road lies ahead of Keck and the Jackson sivity and equality. I just like the core principles of the game to Jackson stems from his own achievements in the sport. Quidditch Association in the form of an invisible, highly itself.” “I was getting my master’s in Norway, and I randomly contagious opponent. Like traditional college sports, team members and fans decided to go to this quidditch thing thinking that this However, Keck’s dedication and optimism spell good form tight association and monstrous fandoms around the would be pretty funny,” he says. “I ended up playing for news for this budding organization and for the local spread institutional or locational teams they cheer for. Some of the about a year, joining the Norwegian national team and go- of this fantastical sport. He hopes Jacksonians will soon most dedicated fan bases orbit around Texas-native teams ing to the European Quidditch Cup, and was supposed to be able to cheer for quidditch enthusiasts in their natural Lone Star Quidditch, Austin Outlaws and University of go to the World Cup—then COVID happened.” habitat—on broom, dodgeball in hand and a fiery deterTexas at Austin’s four quidditch teams. After landing back in the U.S., Keck was determined mination electrifying their bodies. Unlike traditional sports, quidditch was built around to start his own team in order to keep playing the sport that For more information, find the Jackson Quidditch rules that allow fair co-ed play. Teams are capped at only he had become infatuated with overseas. Association on Facebook.
